Zechariah 12:2-3

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Zechariah 12:3

(3) A burdensome stone.—In lifting which the builders might lacerate themselves: meaning that those who should endeavour to build Jerusalem into the fabric of their own dominion should injure themselves in the attempt. But some (as Jerome) suppose the figure to be borrowed from some such athletic sport as “lifting the weight;” while others take the expression in a more general sense, as referring merely to a weight which is too heavy to be borne. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Zechariah 12:1-14

Confirmation Zechariah 12:8 There are two great senses in which we may take the verse; both equally true: both very, though not perhaps equally, comforting. I. 'He that is feeble among them shall be as David.' The promise is to you; and so it had need to be. You, in all your infirmity you, so unequally matched with the prince of the power of this world a feeble soldier on one side, on the other, principalities, and powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Zechariah 12:1-7

8. JUDAH VERSUS JERUSALEMZechariah 12:1-7A title, though probably of later date than the text, introduces with the beginning of chapter 12 an oracle plainly from circumstances different from those of the preceding chapters. The nations, not particularized as they have been, gather to the siege of Jerusalem, and, very singularly, Judah is gathered with them against her own capital. But God makes the city like one of those great boulders, deeply embedded, which husbandmen try to pull up from... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Zechariah 12:1-14

THE CONTENTS OF "ZECHARIAH"Chapters 9-14FROM the number of conflicting opinions which prevail upon the subject, we have seen how impossible it is to decide upon a scheme of division for "Zechariah" 9-14. These chapters consist of a number of separate oracles, which their language and general conceptions lead us on the whole to believe were put together by one hand, and which, with the possible exception of some older fragments, reflect the troubled times in Palestine that followed on the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Zechariah 12:1-14

II. The Second Burden of Zechariah (12-14) CHAPTER 12 1. Jerusalem’s conflict and victory (Zechariah 12:1-9 ) 2. The vision of the pierced One and its results (Zechariah 12:10-14 ) Zechariah 12:1-9 . The second burden begins with this chapter. It is wholly unfulfilled with the exception of the prophecy at the end of chapter 13 concerning the Shepherd who was smitten. The great future events recorded in these closing chapters of Zechariah are the following: The victory of Jerusalem, the... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Zechariah 12:2

12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a {b} cup of trembling to all the people around, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah [and] against Jerusalem.(b) Jerusalem will be defended against all her enemies: so will God defend all Judah also, and will destroy the enemies. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 12:1-14

The Deliverance of Judah and Jerusalem (vv. 1-9) In this chapter Judah is mentioned five times, Jerusalem ten times. All in this chapter (as well as chapters 13 and 14) is prophetic of the future, except for the reference inZechariah 13:7; Zechariah 13:7 to the smiting of God's Shepherd, the death of Christ, which is plainly connected with the entire prophecy. This is "the burden of the word of the Lord for Israel," for the whole nation will be involved, though Judah is seen to be the... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Zechariah 12:1-14

END THE AGE , OPEN THE MILLENNIUM It was stated that the first part of the book, chapters 1-8, referred chiefly, though not entirely, to the prophet’s own time. The basis of all the prophecies in that part had a historical relation to the period then present. They were uttered, to encourage the people in rebuilding the temple. And yet there is not one of them that did not take cognizance of the far future. The discourses of this, the second part, deal almost entirely with the future. It... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Zechariah 12:2-9

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. 3 ¶ And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. 4 In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Zechariah 12:2

A lintel of surfeiting. That is, a door into which they shall seek to enter, to glut themselves with blood: but they shall stumble, and fall like men stupified with wine. It seems to allude to the times of Antiochus, and to the victories of the Machabees. (Challoner) --- Yet it indirectly relates to the last siege of Jerusalem, and to Jesus Christ establishing his Church. Hebrew, "a cup of drowsiness," or trembling. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "as courts (or thresholds; Greek: prothura ) shaken."... read more

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